Improvement in imitations of tortoise-shell



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY MILLER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN IMITATIONS OF TORTOISE-SHELL.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,61 7, dated September 3, 1878; application filed August 8, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTHONY MILLER, of the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Imitation of Tortoise- Shell; and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The object of myinvention is to produce, as a new article of manufacture, an imitation of tortoise-shell which can be applied to all the purposes, both useful and ornamental, to which the real tortoise-shell is now or may be applied.

My improvement is especially adapted for use in buttons, brush-backs, combs, and articles of jewelry, though I do not intend by this enumeration of articles to restrict the use of my improvement to them, but desire to use it for all other purposes to which tortoise-shell and horn are applicable.

My improvement is extremely cheap, and presents an equally good appearance and is as durable as the real tortoise-shell.

I make my improvement as follows I take a piece of horn, shell, or other suitable material, of any desired size or thickness, and make this the base or foundation of the article I de sire to produce. I then place on this piece of horn, shell, or other material, a piece of paper of any description, or-of tin or gold foil, or of any other material similar to paper or tin or gold foil. I, however, prefer to usepaper, as

it is cheaper than the other materials sopken of. The paper or other material, previous to its being placed on the horn or other material forming the base of my improvement, is colored so as to present a mottled appearance. I cover the paper, or other material used in its place, with a thin coating or veneer of the amber shell of the tortoise, or any other shell or horn.

The material so prepared is then made of the form or configuration of the article which it is desired to produce, and is then pressed together in dies or molds, or by other proper means, so that it forms a solid article, and pre sents the exact appearance of real tortoiseshell.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As a new article of manufacture, an imitation of tortoise shell composed of the materials and in the manner above set forth, substantially as described, and for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ANTHONY MILLER.

In presence of- LoUIs W. FRosr, EDGAR J. PHILLIPS. 

